Fact Sheet for Bat Inspection in Homes

It is not unusual to find bats in homes in New York State, and the presence of bats usually does not result in a need for rabies postexposure prophylaxis. Most (97%) bats tested at the NYS Wadsworth Center's Rabies Laboratory are negative for rabies. However, because many of the human rabies cases in the United States since 1990 appear to have acquired their disease from an unrecognized bat bite in a home situation, all reasonable steps should be taken to keep bats out of the home environment, especially sleeping quarters.

not leaving unscreened doors open to the outside

not leaving unscreened windows open to the outside

making sure windows have screens, chimneys are capped, and electrical and plumbing openings are plugged

sealing up all openings larger than 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch square into the attic, basement, walls, or occupied areas of the house